Inner bra cup

ABSTRACT

An inner bra cup includes a connecting portion on an outer end thereof for connecting with a shoulder strap. A top edge of the inner bra cup has a recessed portion and a convex portion. The convex portion includes a nipple covering section above a line passing through a lowest point of an inner side of the convex portion and a lowest point of the recessed portion. A distance from a highest point of the nipple covering section to the line is at least 2.5 cm when the nipple covering section is in a flattened state. The nipple covering section includes a heavier, thicker section that covers a nipple of a bosom of a wearer and that has a thickness of 1-9 mm. The nipple covering section is in intimate contact with the bosom of the wearer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/189,694 filed Jul. 27, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an inner bra cup and, moreparticularly, to an inner bra cup that is not liable to deform.

2. Description of the Related Art

A bra provides several functions for female bosoms, including lifting,concentration, beautification, and protection. Typical bras are made ofcloth or include bra cups having an inner lining made of foam or spongefor providing lifting and concentration effect. However, the cups deformor become baggy after many times of wearing and washing. Hence, the topedge 10 of the bra 1 cannot be in intimate contact with the bosom 11 ofthe wearer, as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Namely, a gap 12exists between the top edge 10 of the bra 1 and the bosom 11 of thewearer, which may cause exposure of the nipple 12 and, thus, result inembarrassment and unpleasant feeling. Further, the bra 1 made of clothis liable to deform and thus adversely affects the beautificationpurposes while having a short life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, asubstantially bowl-shaped inner bra cup comprises an outer end. Aconnecting portion extends from the outer end and is adapted forconnecting with an end of a shoulder strap. The inner bra cup furtherincludes a top edge that has a recessed portion adjacent to theconnecting portion. The top edge further includes a convex portion thatis contiguous to the recessed portion and that converges upward. Theconvex portion includes a nipple covering section above a line passingthrough a lowest point of an inner side of the convex portion and alowest point of the recessed portion. A distance from a highest point ofthe nipple covering section to the line is at least 2.5 cm when thenipple covering section is in a flattened state. The nipple coveringsection includes a thicker section that covers a nipple of a bosom of awearer and that has a thickness of 1-9 mm. The thicker section isheavier than a remaining portion of the nipple covering section, withthe nipple covering section in intimate contact with the bosom of thewearer.

Preferably, the inner bra cup is made of silicon rubber, latex rubber,or composite silicon rubber/latex rubber.

Preferably, the distance from the highest point of the nipple coveringsection to the line is 2.5-6 cm.

Preferably, the top covering section further includes a thinner sectionthat is above the thicker section and that is thinner than the thickersection.

Preferably, the thicker section extends downward to a position below theline, and a distance between the position and the line is smaller than 2cm or 3 cm.

Preferably, the thicker section includes at least one gap to provide apath for air circulation.

Preferably, the thicker section includes at least two protrusionsbetween which the gap is defined.

Preferably, a distance between two middle points of two sides of thenipple covering section is 4-9 cm.

Preferably, a line passing through the middle points of the sides of thenipple covering section is parallel to the line passing through thelowest point of the inner side of the convex portion and the lowestpoint of the recessed portion.

Preferably, the inner bra cup further includes a connecting stripmounted to a lower edge thereof.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, asubstantially bowl-shaped inner bra cup comprises a top edge including aconvex portion that converges upward. The convex portion includes anipple covering section above a line passing through a lowest point ofan inner side of the convex portion and a lowest point of an outer sideof the convex portion. A distance from a highest point of the nipplecovering section to the line is at least 2.5 cm when the nipple coveringsection is in a flattened state. The nipple covering section includes athicker section that covers a nipple of a bosom of a wearer and that hasa thickness of 1-9 mm. The thicker section is heavier than a remainingportion of the nipple covering section, with the nipple covering sectionin intimate contact with the bosom of the wearer.

Preferably, the inner bra cup is made of silicon rubber, latex rubber,or composite silicon rubber/latex rubber.

Preferably, the distance from the highest point of the nipple coveringsection to the line is 2.5-6 cm.

Preferably, the top covering section further includes a thinner sectionthat is above the thicker section and that is thinner than the thickersection.

Preferably, the thicker section extends downward to a position below theline, and a distance between the position and the line is smaller than 2cm or 3 cm.

Preferably, the thicker section includes at least one gap to provide apath for air circulation.

Preferably, the thicker section includes at least two protrusionsbetween which the gap is defined.

Preferably, a distance between two middle points of two sides of thenipple covering section is 4-9 cm.

Preferably, a line passing through the middle points of the sides of thenipple covering section is parallel to the line passing through thelowest point of the inner side of the convex portion and the lowestpoint of the outer side of the convex portion.

Preferably, the inner bra cup further includes a connecting stripmounted to a lower edge thereof.

Other objectives, advantages, and features of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a user wearing a conventionalbra.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of an inner bra cup in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the inner bra cup in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a modified example of the inner bra cup in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating use of the inner bra cup inaccordance with the present invention in a bra.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the bra in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating use of the bra in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating an example of an inner side of athicker portion of the bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating another example of the inner side ofthe thicker portion of the inner bra cup in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 a plan view illustrating a further example of the inner side ofa thicker portion of the inner bra cup in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 a plan view illustrating still another example of the inner sideof a thicker portion of the inner bra cup in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of the inner bracup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating use of the inner bra cup inFIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an embodiment of an inner bra cup 2 inaccordance with the present invention is substantially bowl-like andshaped to include a concave inner face for mating with the contour of afemale bosom. The inner bra cup 2 is made of silicon rubber, latexrubber, or composite silicon rubber/later rubber. The inner bra cup 2includes an inner end and an outer end from which a connecting portion20 extends for connecting with an end of a shoulder strap 34 (see FIG.5). The inner bra cup 2 further includes a recessed portion 21 on a topedge thereof and adjacent to the connecting portion 20.

The top edge further includes a convex portion 22 that is contiguous tothe recessed portion 21 and that converges upward. The convex portion 22includes a nipple covering section 23 above a line C passing through alowest point “b” of an inner side of the convex portion 22 and a lowestpoint “a” of the recessed portion 21. A distance “e” from the highestpoint “d” of the nipple covering section 23 to the line C is at least2.5 cm (preferably 2.5-6 cm) when the nipple covering section 23 is in aflattened state. A distance “g” between two middle points “j” of twosides of the nipple covering section 23 is 4-9 cm, which is sufficientto cover a nipple of a bosom of a wearer. Preferably, a line passingthrough the middle points “j” of the sides of the nipple coveringsection 23 is parallel to the line C. Preferably, the nipple coveringsection 23 includes a thicker section 24 that covers the nipple of thebosom of the wearer and that has a thickness of 1-9 mm. The nipplecovering section 23 further includes a thinner section that is thinnerthan the thicker section 24 and that is above the thicker section 24 forcovering the portion of the wearer's bosom above the nipple. The thinnersection may have a thickness of 0.8 mm. The inner bra cup 2 furtherincludes a shielding section 25 below the nipple covering section 23. Aconnecting strip 26 may be provided along a lower edge of the inner bracup 2.

In a case that the area of the nipple covering section 23 is small, thethicker section 24 of the nipple covering section 23 may extend downwardto a position below the line C, as shown in FIG. 4. The distance betweenthe position and the line C is smaller than 2 cm (or 3 cm, ifnecessary).

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when using the inner bra cups 2 inaccordance with the present invention to make a bra 3, each inner bracup 2 is sewn between an outer layer 31 and an inner layer 32 of a cup30. Namely, the inner bra cup 2 is enveloped in the cup 30. A resilientsteel ring 33 (see FIG. 6) may be embedded in the connecting strip 26 atthe lower edge of the inner bra cup 2. The resilient steel ring 33 iscovered by lower edges of the inner and outer layers 32 and 31 of thecup 30 by sewing. Hence, the resilient steel ring 33 is fixed to thelower edge of the cup 30. The bra 3 further includes two shoulder straps34 each having an end connected to a connecting portion (not labeled) ofan associated cup 30. The connecting portions 20 of the inner bra cups 2may be sewn to the ends of the shoulder straps 34. The bra 3 furtherincludes a back strap 35 extending from an outer side of each cup 30,with the other end of each shoulder strap 34 connected to an associatedback strap 35. The back straps 35 may be sewn to outer sides of theinner bra cups 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates a wearer wearing the bra 3 with the inner bra cups 2in accordance with the present invention. Since the inner bra cups 2have excellent shaping ability and restitution characteristics, the cups30 of the bra 3 are in intimate contact with the bosoms 4 of the wearer,with the resilient steel ring 33 and the shielding section 25 of eachinner bra cup 2 supporting and positioning a lower portion of a bosom 4and with the connecting portions 20 of the inner bra cups 2 and theshoulder straps 34 providing a lifting effect. The bosoms 4 are liftedand positioned without the risk of being pendulous, attaining breastenhancing effects including lifting, concentration, and shaping.

The nipple covering sections 23 of the inner bra cups 2 in the cups 3cover the central area of the bosoms 4, with the thicker sections 24covering the nipples 40 and with the thinner sections adjacent to thethicker sections 24 in intimate contact with the portions of thewearer's bosoms 4 above the nipples 40. Due to provision of the thickersection 24 and the thinner section on each inner bra cup 2, the nipplecovering section 23 of each inner bra cup 2 is in reliable intimatecontact with the associated bosom 4 of the wearer. When the wearer leansforward, the upper edges of the cups 30 will not turn outward, as thethicker sections 24 are heavier and thus enhance the restitution effect.As a result, the nipples 40 can be reliably covered by the thickersections 24, with the portions of the wearer's bosoms 4 above thenipples 40 covered by the thinner sections, thereby avoiding exposure ofthe nipples 40.

Further, when the wearer lifts the shoulder straps 34 upward foradjusting purposes, the recessed portion 21 between the connectingportion 20 and the nipple covering section 23 of each inner bra cup 2cuts off the force transmission to the nipple covering section 23 whilethe connecting portion 20 and the shielding section 25 are lifted. Thisavoids the central portion of the bosoms 4 from being pressed when theshoulder straps 34 are lifted upward. More specifically, the pullingforce resulting from upward lifting of the shoulder straps 34 moves theshielding sections 25 upward. However, the pulling force vanishes at thearea adjacent to the nipple covering sections 23. Hence, the nipplecovering sections 23 are not subjected to the pulling force and thus,can be in intimate contact with the bosoms 4 without pressing the bosoms4 of the wearer. This presents perfect bosom shapes of the wearer whileproviding wearing comfort. Further, undesired deformation the bra 3 isless likely to occur and the bra 3 has a longer life, as the inner bracups 2 have excellent shaping capability and restitutioncharacteristics.

The thicker section 24 of the inner bra cup 2 in accordance with thepresent invention may include at least one gap in an inner face thereof.The gap may be defined between at least two protrusions. The protrusionsmay include rib-like protrusions 51 (see FIG. 8), net-like structure 52(see FIG. 9), spiral structure 53 (see FIG. 10), or particles 54 (seeFIG. 11). The protrusions provide paths for air circulation forventilation purposes.

FIG. 12 illustrates a modified embodiment of the inner bra cup 6 inaccordance with the present invention for use with a bra withoutshoulder straps or a low dress. In this embodiment, the inner bra cup 6is substantially bowl-like and includes a top edge having a convexportion 60 that converges upward. The convex portion 60 includes anipple covering section 62 above a line “i” passing through a lowestpoint “k” of an inner side of the convex portion 60 and a lowest point“l” of an outer side of the convex portion 60. Similar to the embodimentof FIG. 2, a distance from the highest point “d” of the nipple coveringsection 60 to the line “i” is at least 2.5 cm (preferably 2.5-6 cm) whenthe nipple covering section 61 is in a flattened state. A distance “g”between two middle points “j” of two sides of the nipple coveringsection 61 is 4-9 cm, which is sufficient to cover a nipple of a bosomof a wearer. Preferably, a line passing through the middle points “j” ofthe sides of the nipple covering section 61 is parallel to the line “i”.Preferably, the nipple covering section 61 includes a thicker section 62that covers the nipple of the bosom of the wearer and that has athickness of 1-9 mm. The nipple covering section 61 further includes athinner section that is thinner than the thicker section 62 for coveringat least a portion of the bosom above the nipple. The remaining sectionof the inner bra cup 6 outside the thicker section 61 may have a uniformthickness.

Referring to FIG. 13, when using the inner bra cup 6 in a low dress, ina case that no shoulder straps are used, a back strap (not shown) may beconnected to an outer side of each inner bra cup 6, allowing the innerbra cups 6 to be in intimate contact with the bosoms 4 of the wearer.When the wearer leans forward, the inner bra cups 6 are still inintimate contact with the bosoms 4 of the wearer without the risk ofexposing the nipples while presenting perfect bosom shapes of thewearer.

As apparent from the foregoing, the inner bra cups 2 and 6 in accordancewith the present invention have excellent shaping capability andrestitution characteristics, allowing the inner bra cups 2 and 6 to bein intimate contact with the bosoms 4 of the wearer. The bosoms 4 of thewearer are lifted and positioned without being pendulous. Lifting,concentration, and shaping effects are attained. Further, the top edgesof the inner bra cups 2 and 6 will not turn outward and, thus, preventthe nipples of the wearer from being exposed. Further, when used withshoulder straps 34, the nipple covering sections 23 will not besubjected to the pulling force for lifting the shoulder straps 34, withthe nipple covering sections 23 in intimate contact with the bosoms 4 ofthe wearer. The bosoms 4 of the wearer will not be pressed and thuspresent perfect shapes. Further, a bra 3 using the inner bra cups 2 and6 in accordance with the present invention is less likely to deform and,thus, has a long life. Further, perfect bosom shapes are presented whenusing the inner bra cups 6 in a low dress.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications and variations are still possible. The scope ofthe invention is limited by the accompanying claims.

1. A substantially bowl-shaped inner bra cup comprising an outer end, aconnecting portion extending from the outer end and adapted forconnecting with an end of a shoulder strap, the inner bra cup furtherincluding a top edge, the top edge including a recessed portion adjacentto the connecting portion, the top edge further including a convexportion that is contiguous to the recessed portion and that convergesupward, the convex portion including a nipple covering section above aline passing through a lowest point of an inner side of the convexportion and a lowest point of the recessed portion, a distance from ahighest point of the nipple covering section to the line being at least2.5 cm when the nipple covering section is in a flattened state, thenipple covering section including a thicker section that covers a nippleof a bosom of a wearer and that has a thickness of 1-9 mm, with thethicker section being heavier than a remaining portion of the nipplecovering section, and with the nipple covering section in intimatecontact with the bosom of the wearer.
 2. The inner bra cup as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the inner bra cup is made of silicon rubber, latexrubber, or composite silicon rubber/latex rubber.
 3. The inner bra cupas claimed in claim 1 wherein the distance from the highest point of thenipple covering section to the line is 2.5-6 cm.
 4. The inner bra cup asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the top covering section further includes athinner section that is above the thicker section and that is thinnerthan the thicker section.
 5. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 1wherein the thicker section extends downward to a position below theline, and wherein a distance between the position and the line issmaller than 2 cm.
 6. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe thicker section includes at least one gap to provide a path for aircirculation.
 7. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 6 wherein thethicker section includes at least two protrusions between which said atleast one gap is defined.
 8. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 1wherein a distance between two middle points of two sides of the nipplecovering section is 4-9 cm.
 9. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 8wherein a line passing through the middle points of the sides of thenipple covering section is parallel to the line passing through thelowest point of the inner side of the convex portion and the lowestpoint of the recessed portion.
 10. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim1 wherein the inner bra cup further includes a connecting strip mountedto a lower edge thereof.
 11. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 1wherein the thicker section extends downward to a position below theline, and wherein a distance between the position and the line issmaller than 3 cm.
 12. A substantially bowl-shaped inner bra cupcomprising a top edge, the top edge including a convex portion thatconverges upward, the convex portion including a nipple covering sectionabove a line passing through a lowest point of an inner side of theconvex portion and a lowest point of an outer side of the convexportion, a distance from a highest point of the nipple covering sectionto the line being at least 2.5 cm when the nipple covering section is ina flattened state, the nipple covering section including a thickersection that covers a nipple of a bosom of a wearer and that has athickness of 1-9 mm, with the thicker section being heavier than aremaining portion of the nipple covering section, and with the nipplecovering section in intimate contact with the bosom of the wearer. 13.The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 12 wherein the inner bra cup ismade of silicon rubber, latex rubber, or composite silicon rubber/latexrubber.
 14. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 12 wherein thedistance from the highest point of the nipple covering section to theline is 2.5-6 cm.
 15. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 12 whereinthe top covering section further includes a thinner section that isabove the thicker section and that is thinner than the thicker section.16. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 12 wherein the thicker sectionextends downward to a position below the line, and wherein a distancebetween the position and the line is smaller than 2 cm.
 17. The innerbra cup as claimed in claim 12 wherein the thicker section includes atleast one gap to provide a path for air circulation.
 18. The inner bracup as claimed in claim 17 wherein the thicker section includes at leasttwo protrusions between which said at least one gap is defined.
 19. Theinner bra cup as claimed in claim 12 wherein a distance between twomiddle points of two sides of the nipple covering section is 4-9 cm. 20.The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 19 wherein a line passing throughthe middle points of the sides of the nipple covering section isparallel to the line passing through the lowest point of the inner sideof the convex portion and the lowest point of the outer side of theconvex portion.
 21. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 12 wherein theinner bra cup further includes a connecting strip mounted to a loweredge thereof.
 22. The inner bra cup as claimed in claim 12 wherein thethicker section extends downward to a position below the line, andwherein a distance between the position and the line is smaller than 3cm.